Spec me a DSLR

JoshAFC · 8 Apr 2011 at 11:32

I'm a complete newbie to DSLR photography with a budget of £350ish. Help!

I've been looking at/researching both the Canon EOS 1000D with 19-55 mm Lens (available for £350ish) and the Sony DSLRA290L (available for £330ish).

Are these both decent, relatively easy to use entry level DSLR's, but which I won't outgrow too quickly? Or should I be considering something else?

Any help is much appreciated, as I say I'm a complete newbie to all this.

K.C. Leblanc · 8 Apr 2011 at 14:16

Have you tried them?

Go and give them both a spin and see if one stands out.

Sanchez · 8 Apr 2011 at 15:07

I've recently bought an A290 and I'm in the same position as you, i.e I know nothing about photography. I just went to one of the large retailers and tried out the cameras that they had there and I really liked the Sony. It's easy to use and the on screen display is good when you are a novice with the settings.

The A290 doesn't have Live View but this didn't bother me as I use the view finder because you get a better idea of how the shot will look, but it's certainly something worth bearing in mind. Also, the Sony has a low number of shots per second, I think maybe 2.5. So if you're planning on doing sports shots maybe you should bear this in mind too.

Ksanti · 8 Apr 2011 at 15:45

Given the 1000D is 1.5fps I doubt that it's a huge consideration, Sanchez.

benjo · 8 Apr 2011 at 17:45

When I was in your position, I ended up going for a second hand Canon 30D. Much prefer it to my friends 1000D

K.C. Leblanc · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:02

Another option is the Nikon D3000, if you can find one I doubt it'll be more then about 300 quid. Just bare in mind it's a slightly out of date camera with a much more out of date sensor fitted. High ISO performance (which is what you need for sports and low light stuff isn't great).

Do you have any particular type of photography in mind?

fini · 8 Apr 2011 at 18:07

Second hand 450D plus gubbins would be more than possible for that price.

JoshAFC · 11 Apr 2011 at 12:18

Thanks for the replies. The camera will be used for general use; scenery, holiday snaps, football etc. Nothing in particular.

Think my best bet is to visit a local retailer and try out both of the cameras. Am I right in thinking that with these two cameras, and any DSLR, there isn't a live screen as such like you get with pocket point-and-snap type cameras?

Zogger · 11 Apr 2011 at 12:41

Most of the more recent DSLRs do have live view - including the 1000D. Don't really know what it's like though as I have a 30D which came before they started adding it to everything.

latercomer2 · 12 Apr 2011 at 21:15

Live view on the 1000D isn't great and I'm sure I read it has (or can have) a negative impact on image quality.